I’ve had clients ask me if they should visit franchise headquarters just so they can see the operation in-person. It’s a great question, and I have a great answer: No.

There’s actually a formal name for a visit to franchise headquarters: Discovery Day.

It’s a formal name because it’s serious business. Franchisors put on a Discovery Day-which is usually a scripted event, for a reason. They want to impress you. Your “visit” to headquarters is part of the franchise sales process. Remember I said that one of the franchise salesperson’s goals was to get you to visit them in person? For them, it’s just one more step towards a possible deal close. As a matter of fact, it’s usually the final step. That’s why you have to make sure you’re ready.

If you’re still at the curious stage of the process-and you’re not ready to move forward if all goes well, don’t pay them a visit. It’s a waste of time.

FYI: Some franchise salespeople want you to visit headquarters early in the process. But, should you? Sometimes.

Joel Libava

Joel Libava is a franchise ownership adviser best known as The Franchise King®. He is the author of Become A Franchise Owner! The Start-Up Guide To Lowering Risk, Making Money, And Owning What You Do (Wiley 2011).